Method for automating instrument tests

Abstract

A method of operating a data processing system to operate a first instrument and a second instrument connected to the data processing system is disclosed. The method includes displaying a measurement table. The data processing system receives user input defining a first parameter that is to be varied during a testing procedure by the first instrument and a first measurement to be made by the second instrument during the test procedure, a plurality of first parameter values to be used in the testing procedure. The data processing system causes the first instrument to provide each of the first parameter values and the second instrument to make the measurement and enter the measurement in a corresponding cell of a second row in the measurement table when the first instrument provides each of the first parameter values.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of operating a data processing system to operate a first instrument and a second instrument connected to said data processing system, said method comprising:
 displaying a measurement table comprising a plurality of rows and columns on a display connected to said data processing system; 
 receiving user input defining a first parameter that is to be varied during a testing procedure by said first instrument; 
 receiving user input defining a first measurement to be made by said second instrument during said testing procedure; 
 receiving user input defining a plurality of first parameter values to be used in said testing procedure, each of said plurality of first parameter values being entered into a corresponding cell in a first row of said measurement table; and 
 causing said first instrument to provide a plurality of first signals to a DUT, each of said plurality of first signals being determined by a corresponding one of said plurality of first parameter values, causing said second instrument to make a plurality of measurements of a second signal from said DUT, each of said plurality of measurements corresponding to one of said plurality of first parameter values, and entering each of said plurality of measurements in a corresponding cell of a second row in said measurement table. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said data processing system provides a list of parameters that had been previously set for said first instrument, and wherein said user input comprises selecting a parameter from said list of parameters as said first parameter. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein said data processing system provides a GUI for controlling said first instrument interactively and wherein said list of parameters comprises parameters that were previously controlled via said GUI. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said data processing system provides a list of measurements that had been previously made for said second instrument, and wherein said user input comprises selecting a measurement from said list of parameters as said first measurement. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein said data processing system provides a GUI for controlling said second instrument interactively and wherein said list of measurements comprises measurements that were previously made via said GUI. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of columns in said measurement table are characterized by column labels, wherein each row in those columns is characterized by a row value, and wherein said method further comprises displaying a graph of said row values as a function of said column labels. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein said graph is displayed in a column on said row having said row values that are graphed. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein said graph is generated when one of said row values changes. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein said method further comprises causing said data processing system to fill in values in one of said rows using a formula that generates a sequence of values. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  further causing said data processing system to edit said measurement table in response to user input. 
     
     
       11. A computer readable medium comprising instructions that cause a data processing system to execute a method for operating a display screen that is part of said data processing system, said method comprising:
 displaying a measurement table comprising a plurality of rows and columns on a display connected to said data processing system; 
 receiving user input defining a first parameter that is to be varied during a testing procedure by said first instrument; 
 receiving user input defining a first measurement to be made by said second instrument during said testing procedure; 
 receiving user input defining a plurality of first parameter values to be used in said testing procedure, each of said first parameter values being entered into a corresponding cell in a first row of said measurement table; and 
 causing said first instrument to provide a plurality of first signals to a DUT, each of said plurality of first signals being determined by a corresponding one of said plurality of first parameter values, causing said second instrument to make a plurality of measurements of a second signal from said DUT, each of said plurality of measurements corresponding to one of said plurality of first parameter values, and entering each of said plurality of measurements in a corresponding cell of a second row in said measurement table. 
 
     
     
       12. The computer readable medium of  claim 11  wherein said data processing system provides a list of parameters that had been previously set for said first instrument, and wherein said user input comprises selecting a parameter from said list of parameters as said first parameter. 
     
     
       13. The computer readable medium of  claim 12  wherein said data processing system provides a GUI for controlling said first instrument interactively and wherein said list of parameters comprises parameters that were previously controlled via said GUI. 
     
     
       14. The computer readable medium of  claim 11  wherein said data processing system provides a list of measurements that had been previously made for said second instrument, and wherein said user input comprises selecting a measurement from said list of parameters as said first measurement. 
     
     
       15. The computer readable medium of  claim 14  wherein said data processing system provides a GUI for controlling said second instrument interactively and wherein said list of measurements comprises measurements that were previously made via said GUI. 
     
     
       16. The computer readable medium of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of columns in said measurement table are characterized by column labels, wherein each row in those columns is characterized by a row value, and wherein said method further comprises displaying a graph of said row values as a function of said column labels. 
     
     
       17. The computer readable medium of  claim 16  wherein said graph is displayed in a column on said row having said row values that are graphed. 
     
     
       18. The computer readable medium of  claim 16  wherein said graph is generated when one of said row values changes. 
     
     
       19. The computer readable medium of  claim 11  wherein said method further comprises causing said data processing system to fill in values in one of said rows using a formula that generates a sequence of values. 
     
     
       20. The computer readable medium of  claim 11  further causing said data processing system to edit said measurement table in response to user input.